Blinker signaling device



June 5, 1945. 5. GOLD (BLINKER SIGNALING DEVICE Filed Jan. 15, 1944 g EW INVE'NTOR A" ORNE s board or the like.

Patented June 5, 1945 BLINKER SIGNALING nnvron Sam Gold, Chicago, 111.,assignor to Einson-Freeman 00., Inc., Long Island City, N. Y., acorporation of Delaware Application January 15, 1944, Serial No. 518,354

8 Claims.

My present invention relates generally to signaling devices, and hasparticular reference to a device of the blinker type.

A general object of my invention is to provide certain improvements in asignaling device of the character set forth in the co-pending patentapplication of Burgoyne A. Diller, Serial No. 515,121, filed December21, 1943, and in the copending patent applications of John V. Horr,Serial Nos. 500,155 and 502,618, filed respectively on August 26, 1943,and September 16, 1943..

The device in question is of simplified structure intended to bemanufactured almost entirely of simple inexpensive sheet material suchas card- The device is of such a character that it may assume anunusually small and compact form adapted to be held in and operated byone hand of a user.

The type of device to which my invention relates has been designedprimarily for instructional purposes, it being intended that largequantitles of the device may be manufactured speedily and at low cost,for distribution to trainees in the armed forces,and others, to enhancethe teaching of signalling generally and the art of blinker signaling inparticular. Because of its small and inexpensive nature, the device mayalso find utility as an educational toy. Nevertheless, since it is acomplete signaling device by means of which messages and signals may betransmitted from one person to another, and since certain features ofthe invention are not necessarily restricted to a device of reducedsize, it will be understood that certain phases of the invention may beconsidered to relate to signaling devices generally.

The structure consists essentially of a pair of superposed front andback signaling members, the front member having a series of adjacentspaced apertures therein and the back member presenting light and darkareas for alternate registry with said apertures during relative slidingmovements of said members. The apertures preferably assume the form ofparallel slits arranged in a group which defines a sort of circularspot, and the markings on the back member are correspondingly shaped andarranged. Thus, if the outer surface of the front member is of darkcharacter, the contemplated relative movements of the memberswill'result in making this spot alternately dark and light, whereby codemessages may be transmitted to an observer at a distance in much thesame manner as such messages are transmitted by large-size blinker sinaling devices. However, whereas the conventional large-size blinkerdevices usually employ a beam of light from an artificial source, andrequire pivoted movements of louvres or the like and all the mechanismand accessories which such an action calls for, the present device isessentially composed of only the two front and back members referred to.

The relatively slidable front and back members of the present device areassociated with'a means of resilient yieldable character for urging themembers into one condition of registry, whereby signaling may beeffected by intermittently forcing or pressing the members into theother condition of registry against the action of the resilient means.

In the aforesaid application of John V. Horr, Serial No. 500,155, aninvention is disclosed whose more particular object lies in theprovision of a device in which all of the parts may be formed ofintegral portions of a single blank of sheet material such as cardboardor the like, and in which the contemplated resilient eiTect may beachieved either without the employment of any extraneous elements ormaterial whatsoever, or merely by means of a simple spring reinforcementof unusually simple and non-critical material.

In the aforesaid application of John V. Horr,

I Serial No. 502,618, an invention is disclosed whose more particularobject lies in the provision of a device in which the basic blank ofmaterial is so formed that a printing operation on only one surfacethereof will be sufiicient to provide all the markings and colorationswhich the resultant structure requires, and in which only a singlegluing operation is required to transform the original blank into thefinished product.

It is a more particular object of the present improvement to provide adevice which may not only be formed of a single blank of sheet material,and which requires a printing operation on only one surface thereof, butwhich is of such further simplified structural nature that a lesseramount of sheet material may be employed and no gluing operationswhatsoever are required to transform the original blank into thefinished product. p

I achieve the foregoing objects and advantages, and such other objectsand advantages as may hereinafter appear or be pointed out, in themanner illustratively exemplified in the accompanying drawing, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a signaling device constructed inaccordance with the present invention, viewed from the front;

Figure 2 is a similar view from the rear;

Figure 3 is a plan view of the single blank of material of which thepresent device may be composed;

Figure 4 is a perspective view of one of the initial steps intransforming the blank of Figure 3 into the finished product;

Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially along the line5-5 of Figure 1; and

Figure 6 is a view similar to Figure 5 showing the relationship of theparts when pressure is exerted upon the device during the signalinoperation.

Referring first to Figure 3, it will'be observed.

that the device may be composed in its entirety of a single blank ofsheet material which is of elongated substantially rectangularconfiguration.

This blank is divided by the transverseparallel.

hinge lines I0, II and I2 into the successive sections or elements I3,I4, I5 and I6, each of which is substantially rectangular and ultimatelyforms .one of a series of superposed flat elements which cooperativelydefine the blinker device shown in Figures 1 and 2.

It will be observed that the sections I4, I5 and I6 are of substantiallythe same width, while the section I3 is of slightly reduced width. The.section I5 ultimately definesthe front signalingmember, and is, providedwith a series of sp ced vided on its front surface with spaced light anddark areas I8. Where the apertures I1 assume the. form of slitsascshown, the markings I8 on the back member I3 are ofcorrespondi'ng.Striped configuration, and they are so arranged that reciprocatingendwise movements of oneof the sigg naling elements relative to theother will alterprojecting finger grip which is designated by thereference numeral 2| in Figures 1, 2, 4 and 5.

The section. It ultimately defines a' means which holds the parts inproper superposed relationship. This section is in effect a, retainingflap which is hinged to the front member I5 along ,the edge I2, thisedge being opposite to the edge to which the springy panel I4 is hinged.In the-retaining flap hinge I2 there is a 10 recess or slot 22 throughwhich the finger grip 2I ultimately projects.

For a purpose presently to be described, a slit 23' is formed in thepanel I4, preferably semicircular in shape, and a tongue 24 is formed onthe end of the retaining flap I 6. Also, a transverse score line 25 ispreferably provided in the flap It in reasonably close proximity to thetongue 24.

After the single'bla'nk or Figure 3 has-been 26- cut and shaped asindicated, and after its upper surfacehas been. suitably printed,colored, or otherwise embellished or marked, the formation of the blankinto the finished product is a relatively simple procedure. The blank ismerely 25'-foldeda10ng the lines I0, II and I2, as indicated in Figure4, soas to bring the back member I3 directly behind the front member I5with its embellished or printed face directed upwardly, i. e.,

toward the slits er apertures l1. Ultimately, the a'o'retaining' fiap'I6 folds rearwardly over and around the finger grip 2I and assumes aposition behind the springy panel I4. For holding together the retainingflap I8 and the springy panel I4 -while nevertheless allowing relativesi movement between them, the tongue 24 is fitted natal-y bring thelight areas or the darkereas into.

registry with the apertures or.slits I1.

, In the preferred construction, the outer face of the front signalingmember I5' is printed 1 or marked so as to be of relativelyfldarkcharacter, and. the markings I8 on the back member I3 are so arrangedthat under normal circumstances the dark regions will register with andshow through the apertures or slits I1. It may be desirable, but is notnecessary, that each ofthe remaihingsections I4 and I6 be also of darkcoloration, or one or both of these sections may havecertain indicia orinformational material printed thereon. any case, the present structureis so designed that the printing or marking may all beaccomplishe'd.

on a single surface of the blank. The printed or marked surface is shownuppermost in Figure 3. The under surface may be and is preferably leftcompletely unmarked.

The section I4 forms a springy panel which lies behind the back memberI3 and serves, in the illustrated embodiment of the invention, to urgethe front and back signaling members into such a relationship that thedark areas lflshow through the slits H.

In connection with the springy panel I4, it is to be observed that it ishinged along the edge III to the back member l3, and along the oppositeedge II to the front member I 5. It should also be noted that the lengthof the springy panel I4, between the hinges I0 and II, is slightlygreater than the length of the back member I3 between the hinge I0 andthe free edge IS. The purpose of this relationship of parts is morefully explained hereinafter.

In the present improved structure, the back member I3 and the springypanel I4 are cut back along their adjacent edges, as indicated at 20, sothat the hinged regionultim'atel'y defines a looselyinto' the slit 23 asindicated most clearly in Figure 2. The device is then ready for use.

between the fingers of the user's hand so that he is enabled to pressthe edge ortions I0 and II of the springy panel I4 toward each other.When this is accomplished; the rear signaling member I3 is shifted so asto bring the lighter areas I8 into a position in 'whichthey show throughthe slits I'I.- This makes a sort of circular spot visible, andthealternate appearance and disappearance of this spot may be employed totransmit the desired signals; The adjustment of the parts in the mannerdescribed is indicated in Figure 6, and is accompanied by a resilientoutward buckling of the springy panel I4, during which time theretaining flap It assumes the angular position shown; the tongue 24riding freely in the slit 23 but retaining its engagement therewith. The7 score line 25 assists in keeping the tongue 24 and the slit 23 inpermanent interengagement.

When the pressure is released, the springiness of the panel I4 causes itto resume the normal position shown in Figure '5, and this restores theparts into the normal condition. During each operation of thedevice, theabutment of the edge I9 against the hinge II, as shown in Figure 6,limits the extent of movement of the back member relative to'the frontmember.

The springiness of the panel I4 may be enhanced by associating with itan additional spring element (not'shown) preferably in the form of asimple leaf or strip of resilient material, but the use of such anextraneous element is not absolutely essential, and for the sake ofsimplicity its employment may usually be and is preferably dis- It willbe observed that the signaling device is thus of unusually simplestructural nature. It

involves no mechanism which might get out at order. The springy efiectmay be achieved without the use of any metal or rubber springs or thelike. The resilient action of the springy panel is simple, efiicient,and reliable, and serves also as a guide for the reciprocative movementsof the rear signaling member, effectively maintaining this member inproper alignment at all times. Of primary advantage is the fact that theentire device may be composed of a relatively small and simple singlepiece of flat sheet material, which need be marked or printed on onlyone surface thereof, and that the entire structure may be held togetheras a unit without requiring any gluing or similar fastening operationwhatsoever.

While in the preferred construction, the light and dark areas IS on thefront surface of the member l3 are provided by merely printing orotherwise applying suitable pigment to this surface (e. g., by printingwith black ink upon a white background or with white ink upon a darkerbackground), it will be understood that the desired effect-could beachieved in various other ways, if desired. For example, the member l6might have a mirrored surface upon which the suitable areas are providedbyblackening or darkening certain predetermined regions, but in such acase it has been found that the desired signaling effect is not ofuniform character since the mirrored surface would appear light only incertain angular positions with respect to an exterior source of light tobe reflected by it. In any case, the term light and dark areas as usedherein and in the appended claims is intended to include within itsscope any means equivalent to that shown whereby the desired variationsin the appearance of the spot may be effected by simple reciprocatingmovements of the character described.

In general, it will be understood that the details herein described andillustrated to explain the general nature of the invention may bemodified by those skilled in the art without departing from the spiritand scope of the invention as expressed in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention and illustrated its use, what I claimas new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a blinker signaling device, a pair of superposed relativelyslidable flat front and back members, the front member having a seriesof adjacent spaced apertures therein,. the back member being provided onits front surface with spaced light and dark areas so arranged thatrelative endwise movements of said members'will bring either the lightor the dark areas into matching registry with said apertures, and aspringy panel lying behind said back member and having one edge hingedto the back member and the opposite edge hinged to the front member, thelength of the springy panel between said hinges being greater than thelength of the back member between its hinge and its free edge, wherebysaid panel will normally urge said members into one of said conditionsof registry and will buckle rearwardly when pressure is exerted upon itsopposite edges to shift the front and back members relative to eachother.

2. In a blinker signaling device, the combination with the parts setforth in claim 1 of a means carried by the front member and extendingbehind said springy panel to hold the parts in superposed relationship.

3. In a blinker signaling device, the combination with the parts setforth in claim 1 of a means carried by the front member andextending'behind said springy panel to hold the parts in superposedrelationship, said means comprising a retaining flap hinged to the frontmember along the edge opposite to that to which the springy panel ishinged.

4. In a blinker signaling device, the combination with the parts setforth in claim 1 of a retaining flap carried by the front member andextending behind said springy panel to hold the parts in superposedrelationship, and means for holding together said retaining flap andspringy panel while nevertheless allowing relative movement betweenthem.

5. In a blinker signaling device, the combination with the parts setforth in claim 1 of a retaining flap carried by the front member andextending behind said springy panel to hold the parts in superposedrelationship, and means for holding together said retaining flap andspringy panel while nevertheless allowing relative movement betweenthem, said last-named means comprising a tongue-and-slit engagement.

6. In a blinker signaling device, a pair of superposed relativelyslidable flat front and back members, the front member, having a seriesof adjacent spaced apertures therein, the back member being provided onits front surface with spaced light and dark areas so arranged thatrelative endwise movements of said members will bring either the lightor the dark areas into matching registry with said apertures, a springypanel lying behind said back member and having one edge hinged to theback member and the opposite edge hinged to the front member, said panelnormally urging said members into one of said conditions of registry,said back member and springy panel being cut back along their adjacentedges so that the hinged region defines a projecting finger grip, andmeans carried by the front member and extending behind said springypanel and around said finger grip to hold the parts in superposedrelationship.

7. In a blinker signaling device, a pair of superposed relativelyslidable fiat front and back members, the front member having a seriesof adjacent spaced apertures therein, the back member being provided onits front surface with spaced light and dark areas so arranged thatrelative endwise movements of said members will bring either the lightor the dark areas into matching registry with said apertures, a springypanel lying behind said back member and having one edge hinged to theback member and the opposite edge hinged to the front member, said panelnormally urging said members into one of said conditions of registry,said back member and springy panel being cut back along their adjacentedges so that the hinged region defines a projecting finger grip, andmeans carried by the front member and extending behind said springypanel and around said finger grip to hold the parts in superposedrelationship, said means comprising a retaining flap hinged to the frontmember along the edge opposite to that to which the springy panel ishinged, there being a recess in the retaining flap hinge through whichsaid finger grip projects.

8. In a blinker signalin device, the combination of parts set forth inclaim 7, said front and back members, said springy panel, and saidretaining flap being integral hingedly-connected parts of a single blankof cardboard.

. SAM GOLD.

